Appleton and Shakespeare in contention for West Brom job

Craig Shakespeare has emerged as a contender for the manager’s job at West Brom, according to the Express & Star.

The newspaper claims that Slavisa Jokanovic and Alex Neil are Albion’s top targets, but the Black Country club could opt to make a short-term appointment until the summer for someone to come in and work with James Shan, who has won both games as caretaker manager since Darren Moore was sacked.

It is understood that two of West Brom’s former caretaker managers Shakespeare and Michael Appleton are likely contenders for the job if the Championship club chooses to take that route.

OPINION

West Brom’s board would be proving their decision to sack Moore even weirder if they fail to appoint a permanent successor for him before the end of the international break. Out-of-work Jokanovic and Preston boss Neil would both be solid options as permanent managers, but with so few games left before the season ends, it’s going to be hard to get someone in who is willing to take on the job. With each passing day it’s making more sense to make a short-term hire. Shan has done well in his two games in charge, earning a 3-0 win over Swansea and a 1-0 victory at Brentford. Shakespeare and Appleton are two men who know the club well. They have played for the Baggies, coached for the Baggies and been caretaker bosses before. Both have also had spells in management. Shakespeare led Leicester to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2017 afterhe succeeded Claudio Ranieri at the King Power while Appleton has been at a few lower league clubs like Oxford United, Blackburn and Portsmouth. Both would be good fits if Albion go for this short-term fix.